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Arsenal fan Piers Morgan admits Mikel Arteta disappointment and issues Kai Havertz put-down

Mikel Arteta has come under fire for not signing a striker in the summer transfer window
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Piers Morgan has claimed he is "disappointed" that Arsenal didn't sign a striker in the summer.

The one-time Good Morning Britain host believes the Gunners are in need of stronger firepower in order to keep pace with Manchester City this season. Despite scoring twice in three games so far this season, Morgan also said that he doesn't think Kai Havertz is the answer to Arsenal's hunt for more goals.

Lamenting what he sees as a missed opportunity for Mikel Arteta in the summer, Morgan said he hoped the Gunners' inability to land a top centre forward wouldn't come to "haunt" the club. Arsenal were linked with Newcastle's Alexander Isak, as well as Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen throughout the summer, but were unable to coax a number 9 to the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking on talkSPORT with Ally McCoist and Gabby Agbonlahor, the controversial broadcaster maintains that the current Arsenal squad is the best they've had "in 20 years". However, referring to the Gunners' struggles against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season, as well as their away loss to Villa, which saw them all but throwaway their title hopes, the ex-Britain's Got Talent judge isn't sure Arsenal have got enough in their armoury to navigate those types of games once again.

Despite not signing a striker, Arsenal did recruit the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling in the summer. Nevertheless, Morgan's concerns appear to remain.

"I think we've signed some very good players," he said. "I do remain disappointed that we haven't gone out and got a proper centre forward or striker. I don't think Kai Havertz is that guy. I hope it doesn't come back to haunt us."

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Sharing his fears of competing with Manchester City once again, Morgan added: "Have we got someone who can compete with City led by Haaland? I don't think we do

Kai Havertz has started the season in good form
Kai Havertz has started the season in good form -Credit:Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

"It worries me in those big games where we get those big chances like last season, home and away against Bayern Munich, the second (league) game against Villa, when it really mattered."

Arteta's side have won two and drawn one in their first three games of the new campaign. However, in spite of the underwhelming 1-1 draw with Brighton prior to the international break, the Gunners have conceded just once so far and Morgan believes that's down to the North London side possessing the best back-line, and keeper, in the world.

"I think we've got the best defence and goalkeeper in world football," he said "We've got back-ups for that defence, we've got six or seven guys at the back who I think are going to be utterly impregnable."

Arsenal return to action this Sunday when they take on bitter rivals Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but Arteta's men will be without the suspended Declan Rice and injured Martin Odegaard.